Visitors flock to Türkiye’s Tropical Butterfly Garden for Madagascar hissing cockroaches
A Madagascar hissing cockroach is seen at Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden, which includes tropical plants brought from all over the world in Konya, Türkiye, October 6, 2024 (AA Photo)
In the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are enchanting visitors with their unique sounds. These insects, famous for their distinctive hissing, are especially popular among young children eager to learn more about them.
Fascinating experience for young visitors
The garden, home to various butterfly species, also features a diverse array of insects year-round. Under staff supervision, children can hold and examine these fascinating cockroaches, which tend to hide among leaves and twigs.
The hissing cockroach can grow up to six centimeters long and has a broad, armored body that captures attention.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches connect visitors with nature
Turgut Tus, Chief Biologist at the Tropical Butterfly Garden, emphasized the staff’s goal of instilling a love of nature in children. By showcasing species not native to Türkiye, like monarch butterflies and large Amazon parrots, they aim to spark interest in biodiversity.
“We’re thrilled to introduce children to unique creatures like the Madagascar hissing cockroach,” Tus explained. “This species is one of the largest insects in Africa, and we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for nature through these fascinating animals.”
Hissing as a defense mechanism
Tus highlighted that male hissing cockroaches produce a defensive hissing sound when touched, resembling a snake’s hiss to deter predators. Despite their large size and imposing appearance, these insects are completely harmless.
Inside the garden, a dedicated terrarium showcases the cockroaches, which have piqued significant interest. “We enhance visitor interaction by occasionally allowing children to touch the cockroaches, fostering a deeper connection with nature,” Tus noted.
The Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden provides a unique opportunity for children to engage with Madagascar hissing cockroaches, nurturing a love for nature and biodiversity. Through interactive experiences, visitors can learn about these intriguing creatures and their defense mechanisms, strengthening their bond with the natural world.
